CAPE TOWN – Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni announced that government inspectors have examined over 200,000 spaza shops and closed 1,000 outlets since launching food safety interventions following recent food-borne illness deaths.

Speaking at Parliament on Thursday, Ntshavheni emphasized the inspections target all shops, not just foreign-owned businesses.

Foreign shop owners must prove R5 million minimum business investment to register, as required by law.

The crackdown follows President Cyril Ramaphosa’s intervention after several children died from consuming contaminated snacks bought at spaza shops.

Cabinet has set a December 6, 2024 deadline for all spaza shops and food handlers to register with their municipalities and meet health standards.

A new R500 million SMME fund, managed by the Department of Small Business Development and Trade, will support compliant South African-owned township and rural businesses.